The handsome Victorian structure that houses the Houston Museum is one of a few buildings left standing in what was once an affluent Chattanooga residential area on Bluff View.

Completed in 1900, the house was built for the Fenton Allen Gentry family. Gentry had moved to Chattanooga in 1889 and was an employee of the Western Union Telegraph Co. He lived in the house until his death in 1925.

According to retired Chattanooga architect Harrison W. Gill, Jr., the house has the earmarks of having been designed by an architect, but if not, at least was certainly the creation of a master builder.

Mr. Gill’s wife, the former Edna Jacoway, and her family occupied the home from 1927 to 1958. Her father, Will Jacoway, was born in Trenton, Ga., and moved to Chattanooga in 1920 from Farrell, Pa., where he had been with Carnegie Steel. The Jacoways reared three daughters, including Edna, in the house.

Edna Jacoway has provided many stories about life at 201 High St. and relishes the Houston’s occupation of her once beloved home.

The three Jacoway sisters sold the house in 1959 to Mrs. Nell S. Rogers, who in 1963 sold it to neighbors, Rosalind Ewing Martin and husband, Cyrus Griffin Martin; Dr. Edward T. Newell and J. Avery Bryan.

The house was given to the Houston in 1968 through the generosity of the Martins and the Benwood Foundation. It has been occupied by the museum since September 1968 when the Houston was moved from its original site cattycorner across High Street.

The structure is indeed a fitting backdrop for a predominantly Victorian collection. Visitors have a double treat as they view not only the amazing collection, but this vintage dwelling that is a reflection of life in Chattanooga over 100 years ago.